Q&A with D.J. White

Here is the rest of the Q&A with IU big man D.J. White. The Hoosier Scoop was able to get some 1-on1 time with him after Kelvin Sampson’s press conference and before practice.

Q: Against Ohio State Tuesday night early in the game, were you trying to make a specific effort to attack Greg Oden?D.J. White: Thatâ€™s just how I play, going to the basket. Of course, when you get into foul trouble, that goes into it too, but I was just trying to make plays for my team.

Q: So how do the Hoosiers play a high-level of defense without fouling?White: Just being smarter and aggressive at the same time. We had trouble earlier in the year in begin aggressive and fouling. Weâ€™ve calmed down a little bit, but it kind of kicked us in the rear end against Ohio State. Weâ€™ve just got to be smarter, keep our hands off opponents and still play the type of defense coach wants us to.

Q: Youâ€™re 6-9, when you go against a guy like Oden who is 7-feet tall, what do you do to get your shot of?White: One thing I really didn’t do was go away from my right shoulder. I was going into a 7-footer which is hard to shoot over. I know that better now. Next time, if I have a chance to face a 7-footer Iâ€™ll learn to go away from it. Thatâ€™s something I can do, itâ€™s just what I didnâ€™t do during the game.

Q: Whatâ€™s it like bouncing against Oden? Strongest guy you played against?White: I wouldnâ€™t say stronger physical wise. But his length and his athleticism. Heâ€™s a tremendous athlete, Iâ€™ll give him that credit.

Q: Have you ever talked to Greg much off the court?White: We wanted him to come here. So I talked to him in that, trying to get him to come to our school. I have talked to him before.

Q: Have you talked to Eric Gordon?White: Yeah, I talk to him when he comes down for the games, say whassup, had him on his official visit.

Q: Will you be around here next year to play with Eric?White: (laughs) I meanâ€¦Iâ€™m in the middle of the seasonâ€¦

Q: Let me rephrase, would you like to play with a guy like Eric Gordon?White: Of course I would. Especially a guard with his talent. Playing with a guard of his talent would be great.

Q: Do you ever talk to Coach Davis or Robert Vaden down at UAB?White: I havenâ€™t spoken to Coach Davis since this summer. I talk to Vaden, thatâ€™s my best friend. Heâ€™s here sometimes in town so I get to say hello, I talk to him a lot we keep in contact.

Q: Howâ€™s Vadenâ€™s game look?White: Yeah, heâ€™s slimmed down, that was good for him. I expect to see some good things from him from next year.

Q: Have you guys played any 1-on-1 or anything?White: Naw, we havenâ€™t had a chance to. Me and him are always competitive, but not during the seasonâ€¦hopefully when he comes here we can workout together like we always do and rekindle our relationship a little bit.

Q: Would you like to play against UAB one day?White: Probably one day (laughs) a little bit, one day, thatâ€™s my hometown. Well, not my hometown but itâ€™s my state. Yeah, to play against Vaden would be great.